Hot TV Trailer: ‘Penny Dreadful’

Showtime has deployed the first full trailer for its psychosexual horror series that bows May 11. Penny Dreadful unites some of literature’s creepiest characters — including those ripped from tales of Frankenstein, Dorian Gray and Dracula — deposits them in Victorian London and lets the mayhem begin. Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green star in the eight-episode Sunday night series, which co-stars Reeve Carney, Rory Kinnear, Billie Piper, Danny Sapani and Harry Treadaway. It’s written by John Logan, who exec produces with Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris. Here’s a look at the sex and blood and imagery:

It’s an old script and a cheap knockoff. Reviews will not be kind for the next CAMELOT misfire.

He-Man and the Masters of The Universe • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

Does it look like an “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” rip-off?
Sure.
Can it still be good.
Sure.

Are John Logan, Sam Mendes and Juan Antonio Bayona good at what they do?
Sure.

Did Irish director Dearbhla Walsh do a good job with Borgia and The Tudors?
Sure.

Wasn’t everyone dissing Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris or producing a drama about midwifes in the 50’s London, and then it became a HUGE international hit.
Sure.

Guy Fawks • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

This project originated in the UK with Neal Street Productions and was shopped around US and UKL networks and eventually landed with Showtime as the main producer with the UK’s Sky Atlantic as co-producer…..not so much Hollywood. Sorry mate :-)

logan's run • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

The setting and the subject matter are getting overdone in TV… but hoping for the best.

ryanne staley • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

i woke up one morning and EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS TURNED 13 AND ENJOYED WATCHING NOTHING BUT FANTASY AND COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS!

Yes, because people are finally starting to realize there’s lots of good stories that aren’t about cops. Or doctors. Or lawyers. Or marital affairs. So maybe you should go back to sleep and just maybe when you wake up you’ll get smart like everyone else. ;)

davidelliott • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

lol

how about stories about….

new jersey mobsters (with a touch of Dostoyevsky)

or

high school instructors forced to cook meth

or

an afghan war hero-turned-domestic-terrorist

or

60’s ad agencies with a typical case of extreme-womanizing

or even

a set of FANTASY novels that, through its morally ambiguous characters, explores the issues of social hierarchy, religion, loyalty, corruption, sexuality, civil war, crime, and punishment in a make-believe medieval setting?

the black chick... • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

Reminds me of the book Anno Dracula…

I’ll be watching.

Showtime can do better • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

The title speaks for itself.

Anon • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

That was a CRAZY GOOD TRAILER. I will definitely watch at least the pilot.

whoa • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

this looks AWESOME

Jax • on Feb 14, 2014 4:27 pm

Cannot wait for this show, this trailer is awesome!! Eva Green is amazing and I can’t wait to see what she does with this!